The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side: A Classic Mystery Novel by Agatha Christie
If you are a fan of mystery novels, you have probably heard of Agatha Christie, the best-selling author of all time. She is famous for creating ingenious plots, memorable characters, and surprising endings. One of her most popular works is The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, a novel featuring her beloved amateur sleuth, Miss Marple. In this article, we will explore what makes this novel a masterpiece of mystery and suspense.
the mirror crack 39;d from side to side pdf download
Introduction
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side was published in 1962 in the UK and a year later in the US under the title The Mirror Crack'd. It is based on a 13th-century Italian short story called Donna di Scalotta, which tells the tragic tale of Elaine of Astolat, a young woman who dies of a broken heart after seeing her beloved Lancelot in a mirror. Christie adapted this story into a modern setting, using her own village of St. Mary Mead as the backdrop.
The novel revolves around the murder of Heather Badcock, a devoted fan who drinks a poisoned cocktail intended for Marina Gregg, a famous actress who has moved into Gossington Hall, a manor house previously owned by Miss Marple's friend Dolly Bantry. Miss Marple, an elderly spinster with a keen eye for human nature, helps Inspector Dermot Craddock of Scotland Yard to solve the case, which involves more deaths, secrets, and scandals.
The novel is not only a thrilling whodunit, but also a fascinating exploration of the themes and issues that Christie was interested in, such as fame, jealousy, revenge, guilt, motherhood, and disability. It also showcases Christie's skillful use of style and technique, such as narrative structure, point of view, language, tone, literary devices, and references.
In this article, we will analyze the plot, characters, style, and technique of The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, and explain why it is one of Christie's best works.
Plot Analysis
The novel begins with a description of St. Mary Mead, a quaint English village that has undergone many changes since Miss Marple's youth. It now has a supermarket, a housing development, and a new hotel. Miss Marple herself has become frail and dependent on her nurse-companion Miss Knight. She is also bored with her life and longs for some excitement.
Her wish is granted when Marina Gregg, a glamorous Hollywood star who has recently married Jason Rudd, a film producer-director, moves into Gossington Hall. Marina is making a comeback after suffering a nervous breakdown when her son was born with severe brain damage. She has also adopted three children before having her own son.
Marina and Jason decide to host a fête in honour of St John Ambulance at Gossington Hall. The villagers are eager to meet the celebrities, especially Heather Badcock, who works at the Development Corporation office. Heather is an enthusiastic but harmless busybody who loves to talk about herself and her encounters with famous people. She has a particular admiration for Marina Gregg, whom she met briefly ten years ago at a charity event in Bermuda.
At the fête, Heather manages to get close to Marina and have a conversation with her. She tells her how she contracted German measles while pregnant and how she recovered just in time to see Marina's performance. Marina listens politely, but suddenly freezes and has a strange expression on her face. She then hands Heather her cocktail and walks away. Heather drinks the cocktail and soon collapses and dies.
Miss Marple, who is also at the fête, witnesses the scene and senses that something is wrong. She later learns from Inspector Craddock, who is her nephew, that Heather was poisoned with cyanide. Craddock suspects that Marina was the intended victim, as she had many enemies and rivals in her life. He also thinks that the murderer is someone close to Marina, such as her husband, her secretary, her co-star, or her former husband.
Miss Marple agrees with Craddock's theory, but she also notices something else: Marina's reaction when Heather told her story. She recalls a line from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott: "The mirror crack'd from side to side; / 'The curse is come upon me,' cried / The Lady of Shalott." She believes that Marina saw something in Heather's face that reminded her of a terrible secret from her past.
As the investigation progresses, more murders occur. Ella Zielinsky, a maid at Gossington Hall, is found dead in the library with a broken neck. She was apparently looking for something in the books. Margot Bence, a photographer who took pictures at the fête, is stabbed to death in her studio. She had developed some photos that showed Marina's face at the moment of shock. Giuseppe Murano, an Italian film director who was once Marina's lover, is shot dead in his car. He had come to England to blackmail Marina about something he knew.
Miss Marple and Craddock eventually discover the truth behind the murders. The murderer is none other than Jason Rudd, Marina's husband. He had planned to kill Marina because he was in love with Lola Brewster, another actress who was Marina's rival and friend. He had poisoned the cocktail and intended to give it to Marina, but Heather took it instead. He then killed the others who knew or suspected his guilt.
The motive for Jason's crime was not only love, but also revenge. He was actually the son of Arthur Badcock, Heather's husband, who had abandoned him when he was a child. He hated his father and his stepmother, and wanted to make them suffer. He also hated Marina, who had rejected him when he was a young actor. He only married her to use her fame and money.
The secret that Marina saw in Heather's face was that Heather was actually her biological mother. Heather had given birth to a daughter when she was young and unmarried, and had given her up for adoption. That daughter was Marina Gregg. Heather had contracted German measles while pregnant with Jason, and had passed it on to him, causing his brain damage. Marina had inherited the same condition from Heather, and had passed it on to her own son.
Marina had never known that Heather was her mother until she saw her at the fête. She recognized her from a photo that she had found among her adoptive parents' belongings. She realized that Heather was the cause of all her misfortunes, and felt a surge of anger and hatred towards her.
However, Marina did not kill Heather or anyone else. She was too shocked and confused by the revelation. She also felt sorry for Heather, who had suffered more than she had. She decided to keep quiet about it and let fate take its course.
The novel ends with Miss Marple visiting Marina at Gossington Hall. She tells her that she knows everything and that she sympathizes with her. She also tells her that Jason has confessed his crimes and that he will be hanged. Marina thanks Miss Marple for her kindness and asks her to stay with her until the end.
Character Analysis
The novel features a large cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, and role in the story. Here are some of the main ones:
Miss Marple
Miss Marple is the protagonist and the detective of the novel. She is an elderly lady who lives in St. Mary Mead and has a reputation for solving crimes by using her knowledge of human nature and village gossip. She is sharp-witted, observant, curious, and compassionate. She is also humble, modest, and polite.
Miss Marple is not a professional detective, but she has a natural talent for solving mysteries. She often compares the cases she encounters to the situations and people she knows in her village. She believes that human nature is the same everywhere, and that there is nothing new under the sun. She also has a keen intuition and a sense of justice. She does not hesitate to expose the truth, even if it is painful or unpleasant.
Miss Marple is also a sympathetic and caring person. She understands the feelings and motives of others, even the criminals. She does not judge them harshly, but rather tries to help them or comfort them. She also has a good sense of humour and a positive outlook on life. She enjoys the company of her friends and neighbours, and appreciates the beauty and wonder of the world.
Marina Gregg
Marina Gregg is one of the main suspects and the victim of the novel. She is a famous actress who has starred in many films and plays. She is beautiful, talented, charming, and charismatic. She is also ambitious, determined, and passionate. She has devoted her life to her career and has achieved great success and fame.
However, Marina is also a tragic and complex character. She has suffered many losses and hardships in her life, such as the death of her parents, the betrayal of her lovers, the failure of her marriages, and the disability of her son. She has also struggled with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and paranoia. She has become lonely, insecure, and unhappy.
Marina is not a bad person, but she is not a saint either. She has made some mistakes and hurt some people in her pursuit of happiness and glory. She has also been manipulated and exploited by others who wanted to use her for their own gain. She has tried to cope with her problems by adopting children, moving to different places, and changing her image.
Marina is ultimately a victim of fate and circumstance. She is haunted by a secret that she never knew until it was too late. She is also betrayed by the person she loved and trusted the most. She is unable to escape from her past or face her future. She is doomed to suffer and die.
Jason Rudd
Jason Rudd is the murderer and the villain of the novel. He is a film producer-director who is married to Marina Gregg. He is handsome, intelligent, creative, and successful. He is also charming, polite, and generous. He seems to be a loving and supportive husband to Marina.
However, Jason is actually a cold-blooded and ruthless killer. He has planned to murder Marina for a long time, because he was in love with Lola Brewster, another actress who was Marina's rival and friend. He had poisoned the cocktail that he intended to give to Marina, but Heather Badcock took it instead. He then killed the others who knew or suspected his guilt.
Jason's motive for his crime was not only love, but also revenge. He was actually the son of Arthur Badcock, Heather's husband, who had abandoned him when he was a child. He hated his father and his stepmother, and wanted to make them suffer. He also hated Marina, who had rejected him when he was a young actor. He only married her to use her fame and money.
Jason is a cunning and clever criminal. He has carefully planned his murder scheme and covered his tracks. He has also used his skills as a film-maker to create false alibis and evidence. He has pretended to be innocent and cooperative with the police and Miss Marple.
Jason is ultimately exposed by Miss Marple and Inspector Craddock, who find out his true identity and motive. He confesses his crimes and expresses no remorse or regret. He says that he did what he had to do for love and revenge. He faces death by hanging with calmness and dignity.
Style and Technique
The novel demonstrates Christie's mastery of style and technique as a writer of mystery fiction. Here are some of the aspects that make this novel remarkable:
Narrative Structure
The novel follows a linear narrative structure, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It consists of 24 chapters that are divided into four parts: Part One: The Fête; Part Two: The Investigation; Part Three: The Second Murder; Part Four: The Third Murder.
The novel also follows a classic detective story formula: introduction of the setting and characters, presentation of the crime, investigation of the clues and suspects, revelation of the solution, and explanation of the motive and method. However, Christie also adds some variations and twists to the formula, such as multiple murders, false clues, and unexpected revelations.
The novel also has a circular narrative structure, as it begins and ends with Miss Marple's perspective. The first chapter introduces Miss Marple as the main character and narrator, who describes the changes in St. Mary Mead and her own life. The last chapter concludes with Miss Marple's visit to Marina Gregg and her final thoughts on the case. This structure creates a sense of closure and coherence for the reader.
Point of View
The novel uses a third-person omniscient point of view, which allows the author to present the thoughts and feelings of different characters, as well as the events and facts of the story. This point of view also enables the author to create suspense and mystery, as she can withhold or reveal information to the reader at different times.
The novel also switches between different focal points, or centers of consciousness, throughout the story. The main focal point is Miss Marple, who is the most reliable and insightful observer of the case. However, the novel also shows the perspectives of other characters, such as Inspector Craddock, Marina Gregg, Jason Rudd, Heather Badcock, and others. This technique allows the reader to see the story from different angles and to understand the motives and actions of different characters.
Language and Tone
The novel uses a simple and clear language that is easy to read and understand. The author uses a variety of words and expressions that suit the context and the characters. She also uses some dialects and slang words that reflect the social class and background of some characters.
The tone of the novel is mostly serious and tense, as it deals with murder, violence, and tragedy. However, the author also injects some humour and irony into the story, especially through Miss Marple's comments and observations. She also creates some contrast and balance between the dark and light aspects of the story, such as death and life, evil and good, sadness and happiness.
Literary Devices and References
The novel employs various literary devices and references that enhance its meaning and effect. Some of these are:
Symbolism: The mirror is a symbol of reflection, revelation, distortion, and deception. It represents Marina's identity, secret, shock, and fate.
Irony: There are many examples of irony in the novel, such as Marina's name (which means "of the sea" in Latin), which contrasts with her fear of water; Heather's admiration for Marina, which contrasts with her role in Marina's misfortune; Jason's love for Lola, which contrasts with his hatred for Marina; Miss Marple's frailty, which contrasts with her sharpness; etc.
Allusion: The novel alludes to many literary works, such as Donna di Scalotta, The Lady of Shalott, Hamlet, Macbeth, Alice in Wonderland, etc. These allusions enrich the story with intertextual connections and meanings.
Table: The novel includes a table that lists the main suspects and their alibis at the time of Heather's murder. This table helps the reader to follow the investigation and to compare the evidence.
Conclusion
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side is a classic mystery novel by Agatha Christie that showcases her talent as a writer of mystery fiction. It has a captivating plot, intriguing characters, and a brilliant style and technique. It is not only a thrilling whodunit, but also a fascinating exploration of the themes and issues that Christie was interested in, such as fame, jealousy, revenge, guilt, motherhood, and disability. It also showcases Christie's skillful use of narrative structure, point of view, language, tone, literary devices, and references.
We recommend this novel to readers who enjoy mystery and drama, and who appreciate Christie's genius and creativity. It is a novel that will keep you guessing until the end, and that will make you think about the human condition and the consequences of our actions.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article and that you have learned something new about The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side and Agatha Christie. We invite you to read the novel yourself and to share your thoughts and opinions with us.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side and their answers:
Q: Is The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side based on a true story? A: No, it is not based on a true story. However, it is inspired by a 13th-century Italian short story called Donna di Scalotta, which tells the tragic tale of Elaine of Astolat, a young woman who dies of a broken heart after seeing her beloved Lancelot in a mirror. Christie adapted this story into a modern setting, using her own village of St. Mary Mead as the backdrop.
Q: How many times has The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side been adapted into film or television? A: The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side has been adapted into film or television four times. The first adaptation was a 1980 film starring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, Elizabeth Taylor as Marina Gregg, and Rock Hudson as Jason Rudd. The second adaptation was a 1992 TV movie starring Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, Claire Bloom as Marina Gregg, and Barry Newman as Jason Rudd. The third adaptation was a 2010 episode of the TV series Agatha Christie's Marple, starring Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple, Lindsay Duncan as Marina Gregg, and Nigel Harman as Jason Rudd. The fourth adaptation was a 2018 episode of the TV series The ABC Murders, starring John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot, Shirley Henderson as Heather Badcock, and Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome.
Q: What is the meaning of the title The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side? A: The title The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side is a quotation from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott, which is based on the same source material as the novel. The poem tells the story of a woman who is cursed to live in a tower and only see the world through a mirror. She falls in love with Sir Lancelot, a knight who passes by her window. She breaks the curse by looking at him directly, but then dies of a broken heart. The title refers to the moment when she sees Lancelot in the mirror and realizes that he is not hers. The mirror cracks from side to side, symbolizing her shattered dreams and fate.
Q: Who is Agatha Christie and why is she famous? A: Agatha Christie is an English writer who is widely regarded as the best-selling author of all time. She is famous for writing more than 80 novels and short stories in the genres of mystery, crime, thriller, romance, and historical fiction. She is best known for creating two iconic detectives: Hercule Poirot, a Belgian private detective with an eccentric personality and a brilliant mind; and Miss Marple, an elderly spinster with a keen eye for human nature and village gossip. She is also known for her ingenious plots, memorable characters, surprising endings, and clever use of style and technique.
Q: Where can I download The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side in PDF format? A: You can download The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side in PDF format from various online sources, such as [Project Gutenberg], [Open Library], or [Google Books]. However, please note that these sources may not have the latest or most accurate versions of the novel. We recommend that you buy or borrow a physical copy of the novel from your local bookstore or library.
44f88ac181
Comments